— Evan Longoria hit a two-run double and Cesar Ramos looked sharp on the mound, sending the Tampa Bay Rays to a 5-4 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Thursday night.
Tampa Bay improved to 14-4-2 this spring, the best record in the Grapefruit League. The Rays have allowed 69 runs, fewest in the majors.
Ramos, trying to win the fifth spot in the rotation, struck out six in 4 2-3 scoreless innings. He gave up four hits and a walk, throwing 64 pitches before giving way to Grant Balfour.
Scott Diamond, competing with Samuel Deduno and Kyle Gibson for Minnesota’s last rotation spot, pitched 4 1-3 innings before walking the bases loaded. Brian Duensing gave up an RBI groundout to Ben Zobrist and the opposite-field double by Longoria.
